Early in the morning there was a knock, and a sloppily dressed fat man entered the room.
- Brother Kai, at sunset, we have to go to the banquet, but I'm afraid they won't let you in as you are," Diso said jokingly.
It's that fucking etiquette again. Kai thought.
- I took the initiative and got the carriage ready. We need to buy some decent clothes first, because all the nobility of the region will be there. I've also rented a bathhouse so that we can have a good bath before we go out. - The fatty calmly spoke and waved his hand as if beckoning Kai to come over.
- Ehhh. - Kai sighed heavily, but still stood up and followed Diso.
Kai was more exhausted than ever, he'd rather fight in Asura's Hell all day than go shopping and endure the sweet talk of the salesmen. The fat man seemed to enjoy the flattery, and he was always reveling in the praise and laughing, leaving tips for everyone.
For Kai, it was all out of his nature... He just followed Diso around, and finally found a very discreet but beautiful black kimono, its fabric shimmering in the sun. It was as if the whole set was sewn on him, and emphasized his figure very well.
- Haha, you're a gloomy type bro. Always wearing all black, don't you want to bring some color into your life? - The fat man teased him about Kai's constant wearing of dark colors.
- Black is an inconspicuous color, it's easy to blend in with the crowd and strike unexpectedly! That's when the colors would appear, but mostly scarlet. Hehehe. - Laughing evilly Kai said.
They walked around the stores for a while, and the fat man bought enough stuff for half a carriage. Kai also bought a black silk hairband and a bracelet of large black beads, neither of which were expensive. He mostly bought them just to get the fat man off his back, since he was always wanting to buy something for him, and he was always asking for options.
Fatty Diso was indeed a generous and good-natured man, there was only one frightening trait about him. When he started haggling, he could probably drive even a dead man mad. In these moments his very different personality seemed to manifest itself, which under certain circumstances could be very useful.
When they finished all of their shopping and headed to the baths, the fat man even hired maids to help them wash and dress.
This was definitely new to Kai, but he didn't pay much attention to it. With his hardened mind, the embarrassment of being seen naked was not something he was afraid of. Some of the maids were very surprised at his muscles and very nicely built body. He now looked like a fourteen year old young lord of a noble family. And his snow-white hair and azure eyes were quite rare in these parts.
The time to leave for Lord Flick's banquet was slowly approaching, and now the maids were finishing the last preparations, they were helping him dress and properly smooth his kimono. They also brushed him neatly, and gathered his hair into a long ponytail.
When the fat man saw Kai, he was taken aback:
- Yeah, bro, I even envy you..." Diso said with a grin.
Kai looked completely different now. His beautiful snow-white hair was combed and neatly folded into a ponytail, he was dressed in a neat silk black kimono and finished with his deep azure eyes that seemed to be the final touch of an incredible composition.
Now he really looked like a young master of some noble family. At the same time, his image was complemented by his incredible aura of mystery and slight danger.
Such a person would definitely attract everyone's attention. When Diso thought about what he would be like when he fully grew up. His face began to crinkle more and more.
- Well, I've chosen my friend... Shit! If we go hunting girls in the future, won't I be like the shit someone put near a bouquet of roses? - The fat man resented me.
- Fatty, you'd better watch yourself, lose some weight, maybe underneath the layers of fat there's an incredibly handsome man! Hahah! - Laughing back at Kai.
- Come on, let's go already, hahaha. - Laughing back Diso said.
In fact, Diso was only kindly jealous. He was really surprised by Kai's aura and appearance. Although it could be said that he was very handsome before, but still, even when the jade was covered in dust, it would appear to be just a beautiful stone.
- If you're going to hook pretty girls, leave at least some for me, hehehe.
- I don't care, I've got enough on my mind to waste time on games of the heart. - The carriage door slammed shut and they drove to the banquet.
As they moved, Kai looked out the carriage window, and saw a stream of other carriages coming down the streets, which were beginning to light up little by little with lanterns. One by one they drove towards Lord Flick's Mansion.
Occasionally, carriages that were even more luxurious than Fatty Diso's would pass near them.
When they were almost there, Kai saw an incredibly large mansion appear on the horizon, it seemed to be the tallest building in the city. It was very beautifully made, a combination of stone and wood. There were many trees, flowers and small decorative streams around the mansion, there were even lakes! The area of the Lord Mansion, could be compared to a small city, luxury was pouring out of it. Right now, the entire mansion was in different lights, not even the paths in the gardens were lit up. It shone like a treasure in the darkness. Truly the most beautiful building Kai had ever seen in his life.
One had to make allowance for the fact that Kai hadn't seen many architectural marvels. It seemed now, little by little, the realization was coming to him that before, he hadn't even known what the world outside the village and forest looked like.
He even thought that all etiquette was indeed appropriate for such places, as there should be harmony everywhere. Just as a dirty tavern was inappropriate for excessive courtesy, a beautiful palace was inappropriate for rudeness and vulgarity, everything had its place.
Thinking about it, Kai remembered everything Master Mo had taught him about etiquette and manners of conversation in such places, Master Mo had even told him a little about how to behave with women and how to give compliments.
Remembering this, Kai closed his eyes and started rubbing the bridge of his nose. It all seemed to be giving him a headache. Maybe he didn't give a shit.
Arriving at the entrance gate, the carriage opened and two young men stepped out. Fatty and Kai. At this moment, many interested looks began to fall on Kai.
- Brother Kai, please stay close to me. Since you're not one of the nobles, I don't want you to get lost somewhere and throw something away. I realize that all this tinsel is far away from you.'' - Diso said.
At this moment, a group of beautiful girls also approached the gate, all of them wearing luxurious robes. They had jewelry hanging around their necks and ears, and their laughter and voice attracted everyone's attention.
Kai with a slight smile, took a step to the side and with a slight bow pointed to the entrance. Clearly and with a slight note of indifference came his calm voice:
- Beautiful ladies, come forward. - After saying this he straightened up again and calmly averted his gaze, looking at the fat man. It was as if what he had just done hadn't happened at all. He continued to speak to Diso:
- Brother Diso, what did you just say? - Kai interjected.
All the ladies began to look at him appraisingly, some of them had their eyes shining and some of them had a blush on their faces.
- Thank you. - They said and laughing quickly went forward and started to discuss something. Kai continued to stare at Diso, waiting for an answer to his question.
The fat man now stood with a slack jaw and looked at the place where the beauties had just stood. Slowly turning to look at Kai, a slight irritation appeared in his eyes.
- You've got to be fucking kidding me! And you, a commoner?! What am I then? Some bum from the back alley? Uh, okay, let's just go ahead. I'll pretend you're just naturally like this! - With his eyes closed, the fat man shook his head.
- What kind? - Kai asked.
- Nothing! Shut up already, let's go! - The fat man said irritably.
They gave their invitations at the entrance and entered the mansion under many stares.